With National Stroke Week just around the corner, the Stroke Foundation is calling on all Australians to unite and fight stroke together.
Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability, with an estimated 27,000 people experiencing their first stroke each year.
National stroke week starts on August 7, with the theme of Fighting Stroke Together, to highlight the need to work together to prevent stroke.
Stroke Foundation chief executive Dr Lisa Murphy said everyone can join the fight by learning and sharing the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech and Time) signs of stroke.
“Stroke does not discriminate,” Dr Murphy said.
“In fact, the rate of stroke in young Australian adults aged 18 to 65 is rising but the good news is there are some key things you can do to reduce your risk of having a stroke.
“These include, exercising regularly, eating healthily, not smoking and visiting your general practitioner for regular health checks for risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.”
Council buildings, major bridges and shopping centre have all joined the effort to help fight stroke by lighting up in Stroke Foundation’s colours during the week.
“I’m so grateful to have the support of the more than 70 different organisation’s who are willing to light up in green and blue to help shine a light on this insidious disease,” Dr Murphy said.
“By lighting up their landmarks, which includes clock towers, libraries, town halls, theaters and even the Big Banana, we’re fighting stroke together and drawing attention to the ways stroke impacts communities.”
Stroke Foundation said a stroke can happen to anyone, at any time, and when a stroke happens, more than 1.9 million brain cells die each minute.
The longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of stroke-related brain damage.
“Stroke takes a person out of their community, that might be for a short term or permanently. The impact is far reaching and touches families, workplaces and community groups,” Dr Murphy said.
“The good news is that stroke can be treated, and people can recover well but only if more people can recognise the F.A.S.T. message.
“Calling an ambulance at the first sign of stroke saves and reduces life- long disability.”
